Re: FT8 FT8 FT8 FT8 FT8 FT8 FT8
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Re: FT8 FT8 FT8 FT8 FT8 FT8 FT8
Don,
Your tips are great. Mucho gracias mi amigo.
?___
Sent from my two way wrist watch
73 de W3AB/GEO?
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On Dec 13, 2021, 17:36, at 17:36, "Don Nesbitt via groups.io" <n4hh@...> wrote: Setting the drive power and ALC threshold using FT8 is a challenge
because of GUI delays reading and displaying internal metrics from the
remote.? Actually the K3/K3S has one of the - if not the - cleanest
audio paths of almost all modern radios -- BUT -- only if it is not
over driven.
The simplest way to achieve a clean signal using the remote is to find
the "sweet spot" for your individual set-up - that is - where to set
the WSJT "pwr slider".
For the most part (unless you are using a Mini or a K3 in terminal
mode) the easiest and best way to make sure you are not creating tons
of distortion is to monitor the KPA1500? PowerOut display - of course,
the AMP should be in STBY.
Procedure:
When you are transmitting - take the WSJT Pwr Slider all the way to the
bottom and slowly bring it up while you watch the PowerOut indicator
until you see about 70 watts output - once you are there- stop - you
are at the "right" setting.?
I know you will want to watch the audio crawler at the top of K3 GUI
like you do for SSB or "try" to watch for an ALC display of about 40%
but just pay attention to the PowerOut display.??
Once you see something in the 70 watt range don't go further - sure -
you might get a few more watts - but - the ALC will quickly go to 100%
and you will be splattering all over the place - and - your response
rate will seriously go down.? Yep - it's touchy and flaky - that's just
the nature of the beast.
Use a little finesse - you'll be glad you did - and - so will everyone
else!
Have fun - - '73 es gud dxing -- Don N4HH
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FT8 FT8 FT8 FT8 FT8 FT8 FT8
Setting the drive power and ALC threshold using FT8 is a challenge because of GUI delays reading and displaying internal metrics from the remote.? Actually the K3/K3S has one of the - if not the - cleanest audio paths of almost all modern radios -- BUT -- only if it is not over driven.
The simplest way to achieve a clean signal using the remote is to find the "sweet spot" for your individual set-up - that is - where to set the WSJT "pwr slider".
For the most part (unless you are using a Mini or a K3 in terminal mode) the easiest and best way to make sure you are not creating tons of distortion is to monitor the KPA1500? PowerOut display - of course, the AMP should be in STBY.
Procedure:
When you are transmitting - take the WSJT Pwr Slider all the way to the bottom and slowly bring it up while you watch the PowerOut indicator until you see about 70 watts output - once you are there- stop - you are at the "right" setting.?
I know you will want to watch the audio crawler at the top of K3 GUI like you do for SSB or "try" to watch for an ALC display of about 40% but just pay attention to the PowerOut display.??
Once you see something in the 70 watt range don't go further - sure - you might get a few more watts - but - the ALC will quickly go to 100% and you will be splattering all over the place - and - your response rate will seriously go down.? Yep - it's touchy and flaky - that's just the nature of the beast.
Use a little finesse - you'll be glad you did - and - so will everyone else!
Have fun - - '73 es gud dxing -- Don N4HH
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Re: 10 Meter Contest - Results for N4HH/5
Thanks DC - it was pretty grim and I didn't stay with it very long - but - fun none the less :)
On Monday, December 13, 2021, 11:09:03 AM EST, <kh6dc@...> wrote:
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Re: 10 Meter Contest - Results for N4HH/5
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Please don't stop operating when you see me sign in - tnx -- Don N4HH
I'm beginning to think it is not coincidental that when I sign on to the remote and it's in use, the Control OP almost immediately stops and sends an ? /open?
Most of? you know that I check the remote and chats several times a day just to see how it's going and if any maintenance is needed.? It actually is very helpful that if you are operating, that you continue to operate as it gives me a chance to see how it's going in "real time."
Please, keep doing what you are doing -- thanks -- Don N4HH
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10 Meter Contest - Results for N4HH/5
Pretty dismal condx and I didn't make much of an effort - but -
worked 17 stations all on CW and all barefoot at 100 watts for a whopping big score of 816 points.? Best Q was with Reunion Island - for some reason he was booming in - one call and in the log.? Hope if you worked the contest you had some fun.
'73 es gud dxing -- Don N4HH
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Safe travels and have a wonderful time. The best of the season to you and yours, and for 2022...
On Sat, Dec 11, 2021 at 4:45 PM Keith Lamonica, W7DXX < w7dxx@...> wrote: I'll be in Alabama all week visiting my grand-kids and great-grand-kids.
Email me if you have problems and I will try to fix them remotely?
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Enjoy. They grow up way too fast.
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On Dec 11, 2021, at 10:08 PM, GEO BADGER via groups.io <w3ab@...> wrote:
?Indeed, have a great time.
I was also at RSA, but many many years ago. von Braun was there then. I had an opportunity to do some work with his group.
?___
Sent from my two way wrist watch
73 de W3AB/GEO?
On Dec 11, 2021, 15:16, at 15:16, kh6dc@... wrote:
Have a great time with family and enjoy them while they're young. What
part of Alabama? Love the Huntsville area when I was at Redstone
Arsenal for a meeting couple years ago.
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Indeed, have a great time.
I was also at RSA, but many many years ago. von Braun was there then. I had an opportunity to do some work with his group.
?___
Sent from my two way wrist watch
73 de W3AB/GEO?
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On Dec 11, 2021, 15:16, at 15:16, kh6dc@... wrote: Have a great time with family and enjoy them while they're young.? What
part of Alabama?? Love the Huntsville area when I was at Redstone
Arsenal for a meeting couple years ago.
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Hey Keith - have a great time - enjoy :-)? 73 -- Don N4HH
On Saturday, December 11, 2021, 05:45:17 PM EST, Keith Lamonica, W7DXX <w7dxx@...> wrote:
I'll be in Alabama all week visiting my grand-kids and great-grand-kids.
Email me if you have problems and I will try to fix them remotely?
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Have a great time with family and enjoy them while they're young.? What part of Alabama?? Love the Huntsville area when I was at Redstone Arsenal for a meeting couple years ago.
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I'll be in Alabama all week visiting my grand-kids and great-grand-kids.
Email me if you have problems and I will try to fix them remotely?
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Re: World's first FT8 contest
Thanks for the update. Now I understand the issue and say 'NEVER MIND.'
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Re: World's first FT8 contest
Hi Keith et al. - personally, I don't "have a dog in the hunt" but here is some info FYI for your consideration.
It would not be the world's first contest that "included" FT8 as a focal point but might be the first that allowed only FT8 if that is what you want.
The ARRL has a page called "Contest Update" - you can see it here:
It's a great summary of most things related to "Contests" - and - it includes a link to the "FT Roundup" - it's interesting to note that the link takes? you to the contesting.com site for RTTY - and/but - is really dedicated to FT4 and FT8.? That contest took place this year on Dec 4/5th.
Here's a quote from the page:
"Starting in 2019, the contest name has changed to FT Roundup. Contacts can be made on either FT4 or FT8.
1. Objective: Amateurs worldwide contact and
exchange QSO information with other amateurs using FT4 or FT8 on 80, 40,
20, 15 and 10 meter bands. Any station may work any other station.
Stations may be worked once per band regardless of mode (FT4 or FT8)." The "contest" itself had been run for several years but apparently since 2019 has been focused on FT4 and FT8.
If you are interested in pursuing this, their complete list of rules, etc are shown on that site - no need to reinvent the wheel - pick and choose the parts that you might want in rules.
Also, here is a link to the contest as shown on WA7BNM's Contest Calendar:
BTW - scores, etc are reported to CQ Mag as part of their WW contests.
73 -- Don? N4HH
On Friday, December 10, 2021, 12:50:29 PM EST, Keith Lamonica, W7DXX <w7dxx@...> wrote:
WHAT DO YOU THINK
should we promote and participate in the World's First FT8 contest.
1. We need to write the rules,
2. Coordinate with ARRL, CQ magazine.
3. Form a contest comittee?
I seriously think we could make this a major event.
?COMMENTS?
VOLUNTEERS?
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World's first FT8 contest
WHAT DO YOU THINK
should we promote and participate in the World's First FT8 contest.
1. We need to write the rules,
2. Coordinate with ARRL, CQ magazine.
3. Form a contest comittee?
I seriously think we could make this a major event.
?COMMENTS?
VOLUNTEERS?
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10 Meter Contest this Weekend
Terrible (SFI = 77 but very low K & A) conditions "probably" mean that this will not be a "hot" contest - but- just a chance to give your skills a try - and - perhaps try out some new software.
Read about it here on Bruce's Contest site:
and about it here on the ARRL site:
The information talks about phone and cw but (as far as I can tell) it does not specify "digital" as a "mode" - now that does not mean that it is not permitted, it just means that I don't see a reference to it.? Very often, "digital" is classified under CW (BTW - CW is a digital mode just not audio based like FT8, etc) but you might want to check for sure if that is what your only interest is.? Contact the ARRL Contest branch at:
For contest information contact?contests@...?or (860) 594-0232
There are other contests going on as well - check Bruce's site to see if there is one that appeals to you and give it a go.? --? Have fun --? '73 -- Don N4HH
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* * * CONTESTING on W7DXX ? * * *
YES - it's not only allowed but encouraged :)
Have some fun - no matter how fast, slow, skilled, unskilled you are, playing in a contest will give you a chance to have fun and perhaps learn something new.
Here's a link to our friend Bruce's WA7BNM Contest Calendar web site.? If it's a contest, it's pretty likely to be listed here along with all the details:
What Call Do I use?
Of course you could enter a contest using your own call - just remember if it's important in the contest that you are /5 and in NM, Dona Ana County, Grid square DM62ng - CQ Zone 4
And - if you'd like to use W7DXX as the call in a contest, check with Keith first to get permission.
Can several of us enter as a group?
Sure, as long as the particular contest permits group operators.
Do I/we have to reserve the remote for a contest?
No* - but it would be a good idea to send out a note letting folks know what you are intending to do.? For most casual contests, just go ahead and watch the Chat window for someone asking to use the remote - remember, it works because it is a cooperative endeavor.
* Keith may decide to have a W7DXX "Contest Team" effort in which case, the remote "might" be reserved - if this is the case, you will get plenty of notice.
Learn something new!
This is a good chance to learn something new.? In the world of contests and dxpeditions, N1MM Logger + has pretty much become the de-facto software of choice.? This is a chance to play around with it, learn and increase your skill.? Here is a link where you can learn all about it:
Can I use N1MM to CONTROL the remote?
Yes, but you don't have to - use what ever you like!? If you want to, attached is a file that will help you integrate N1MM into the RCForb software for remote control and logging.? It's pretty much step by step and of course, again, you don't have to use it or just use it in a contest - to me, it just makes thing easier and I use it all the time for general logging, etc .? N1MM is exceptional for what it does - but - it does NOT provide for tracking WAS, automatic uploading to LOTW, tracking counties, make toast, etc - it's "contest" software.? Try it, you might just like it.
Finally, get on the remote, play around and have some fun :)
'73 es gud dxing -- Don N4HH
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That IS good news. Welcome back John.
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Ciao baby, catch you on the flip side
73 de W3AB/GEO AFA9GB WA2LSI, KE6RJW, W7B, AAR9AG http://www.w3ab.org You can say "over", you can say "out", you just can't say "over and out".
On Thursday, December 9, 2021, 04:29:45 PM PST, Keith Lamonica, W7DXX <w7dxx@...> wrote:
John, K9DX, has decided to rejoin us.? I welcome his experience and knowledge.
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John, K9DX, has decided to rejoin us.? I welcome his experience and knowledge.
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GEO BADGER